Wrench



No. 625,457. Patented May 23, i899.

, w. c. McCOWAN.

WRENCH.

. (Application filed Aug 29, 1898) !No Model.)

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ATTORN UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM CQMOCOVVAN, OF LANCASTER, QI-IIO.

WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 625,457, date Cl May 23, 1899.

Application filed August 29, 1898. Serial No. 689,764. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM C. MoCoWAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lancaster, in the county of Fairfield and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in \Vrenches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of wrenches, and has particular relation to the class known as monkey-wrenches.

The objects of my invention are to provide a simple, durable, and convenient wrench construction wherein improved means are provided for adjusting the relative position of the jaws and retaining the same against movement when in use and to produce other improvements in details of construction and arrangementof parts, which will be morefully pointed out hereinafter. These objects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a View in perspective of my improved wrench. Fig. 2 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of the same; and Fig. 3 is a detail view in perspective of a keeper-ring which I employ in the manner hereinafter described.

Similar numerals refer to similar throughout the several views.

1 represents the stationary jaw-arm, and 2 the fixed jaw or head thereof. This arm 1 has its rear portion extended to form a stem or handle extension 3. 4 represents a sliding j aw-arm, on the outer end of which is carried the jaw 5, through which the arm 1 works loosely. The sliding arm iis, as shown, adapted to bear and slide against the under side of the arm 1 and also terminates in a reduced or stem portion 6, which is of a half-round form in cross-section, and the curved surface of which is provided with external threads, as indicated at '7.

8 represents a cylindrical handle portion through which extends the stem extension 3 of the jaw-arm l, the outer end of said stem extension being journaled, as indicated at 9, in the outer end of said handle-body. The cylindrical handle portion 8 also has extending therein the partially-threaded stem portion 0 of the sliding arm I. In constructing the handle portion 8 I form the inner end parts thereof with a metallic ring 10, the central opening of, which is threaded, as indicated at 11, the internal threads of said ring being adapted to engage the partial threads of the stem 6. In order to retain the threaded portions of the ring and stem above mentioned in proper engagement and at the same time prevent any independent lateral movement of the j aw-arms, I provide a keeper or guidering 12, the latter consisting of a flat ringshaped body having formed on its forward side and on opposite sides of the central opening thereof parallel projecting lips 13. The ring-body 12 is adapted to abut against the outer end of the handle-ring 10, said ringbearing between the latter and the shoulder 14, formed at the junction of the portions 1 and 3 of the stationary jaw-arm. The central opening of the ring-body 12 has passing therethrough the stem portions 3 and o of the jaw-arms. The outwardly-extending lips 13v of the ring 12 embrace and are secured to opposite sides of the jaw-arm 1, said lips being of such height as to extend slightly below the lower side of said jaw-arm. In the outer end and outer edge portion of the handle-ring 10 I provide at regular intervals notches 15,with the desired one of which is adapted to engage the rear end of a substantially horizontal latch-arm 16, which, as indicated in the drawings, is arranged to slide between the upper side of the jaw-arm 1 and a suitable keeper 17, which projects from said jaw-arm.

The manner of operating my improved wrench or changing the relative positions of the jaws thereof is substantially as follows: The latch 16 being drawn outward until its end is out of the path of the notches 15,-an outward or inward movement of the sliding jaw-arm 4 and its jaw 5 is readily effected by the rotation of the handle portion 8 about the stem 3. When the desired distance is attained between the jaws, it is obvious that said jaws may be temporarily locked in such position by moving the latch 16 into engagement with the oppositely-located notch 15.

From the construction and operation described it will be seen that the means which I employ for moving the sliding jaw are exceedingly simple and convenient. It will also be observed that the parts of my improved wrench are few and that the same may be produced at a reasonable cost of manufacture and readily assembled.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a wrench, the combination with the stationary jaw-carrying arm 1 having a reduced stem extension 3, of a sliding jaw-carrying arm 4 having a half-round stem extension as described, a cylindrical rotating han dle journaled about said stem extensions, an inner end ring on said handle-body having internal threads which engage the threads of said sliding-jaw-arm stern, and a keeper or guide ring having parallel projecting lips, said keeper-ring being seated against the inner end ring of said handle and having its lip portions secured to said fixed jaw-arm, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a wrench, the combination with the stationary and sliding jaw-carrying arms 1 and 4, said stationary arm having a reduced stem extension 3 and said sliding arm having a stem extension 6 provided with partial threads as described, of a rotating handle portion 8 journaled about said stem extensions, an inner end ring on said handle por tion having internal threads which engage the threads of said stem extension-6, peripheral notches in said end ring, a sliding latchpiece mounted on said stationary jaw-arm and adapted to engage said notches and a keeper-ring seated against the outer end of said handle-ring 10 and having lip extensions which are secured as described to said stationary jaw-arm substantially as and for the purpose specified.

WILLIAM G. MGCOWAN. In presence of C. O. SHEPHERD, CHARLES CASE. 

